In terms of liability, what does pleading 'nolo contendere' imply?

• A. They admit guilt to the charges.
• B. They neither admit nor deny guilt but accept punishment.
• C. They deny the charges and plead not guilty.
• D. They request a trial to prove innocence.

Answer: (B)

Pleading no contest centers on choosing not to admit guilt while still facing punishment. It resolves the case by accepting the penalties as if you were guilty, but you’re not making a formal admission of fault. That distinction is why this option fits best: you don’t admit guilt, you accept the consequences. It’s often used to avoid creating an explicit guilt admission that could be used against you in civil liability actions. The other possibilities describe either an admission of guilt, a denial, or a request for a trial, none of which captures the no-contest concept.